Gateway Middle School

Over the last five years, Gateway has grown from 980 students to almost 1100 this year. As such, we do not have enough space in the lunchroom for all students in a grade level to eat at the same time.

We piloted this system last year with the 6th grade (now 7th grade) students and it worked well: students wait in line was cut in half, leading to more time to eat. There was more available seating, leading to less stress during lunches.

Starting this year, all grade level lunches will be "split."

1. Half of the grade level will report to the cafeteria to eat first. The other half will go outside for free time first.
2. About halfway through lunch, an alert will sound outside for students to line up to go into the cafeteria. At the same time, we will line up students in the cafeteria to head outside for free time.
3. At the semester, we switch the order of who eats first and who goes outside first.

6th Grade students will practice these logistics during Orientation, and have extra time the first few days of school.

Students are welcome to ride the bus, ride with a parent, walk, or ride bicycles or non-motorized scooters to and from school.

Electronic or motorized bikes or scooters by state late require the operator to be 16+ on public roadways. These items also present hazards to our students and traffic in the area. As such, these items are not allowed on Gateway's campus at any time.

We invite our Gateway parents and guardians to our annual Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 18th from 6-7:30pm. You will have a chance to follow your student's schedule and hear from their teachers.

If you are carpooling/driving to school, please give yourself plenty of time for drop off and pick up. It may take some time to get through this line. You may also drop your student off at the overflow lot across from Forest View and allow your student to walk in. School doors open at 7:50am. We do not provide student supervision before 7:50am.

There is only one way in and one way out of Gateway. Please follow the flow of traffic and only drop off students in the red square area below.

Please make sure you are driving the speed limit and looking out for our students and staff. We want every aspect of all of our students to be safe.

If you have a bus issue please contact Transportation at 425-385-4144

Student schedules reflect what the student requested during spring course selection. If it does not, please make a schedule change request by emailing your grade level Counselor.

Schedule change requests will only be accepted during the first 5 school days of a semester. School counselors will have an additional 5 school days to process and make changes, if approved.

Allowed schedule change considerations:

• You are not scheduled into a core class (ELA, Math, Science, History, or Fitness).
• You failed a prerequisite course and need to retake the course.
• You would like to move from the advanced class to the grade level class in ELA or Math.

We do not consider schedule change requests based on:

• a student's teacher preferences, class period, or lunch period.
• teacher personality differences, teaching styles, or a student's learning style.
• a student's friends and whether or not they have classes together.

If a student has a concern about a specific teacher, they need to meet with the teacher, school counselor and/or administration to work toward a resolution.

Instagram is our primary platform, but content pushes to Facebook as well. Click here to connect on our Instagram!

Friday, August 22nd

Schedules will be available in ParentVUE @4:00pm - we will notify families when they are available

7th + 8th Grade Drop-In

Monday, August 25th 2:00pm - 4:00pm

6th Grade Orientation

Tuesday, August 26th 2:00pm - 4:00pm

First Day of School

Wednesday, August 27th 8:10am - 2:45pm

Learning Improvement Friday

Friday, August 29th 8:10am - 1:30pm

Labor Day - No School

Monday, September 1st

Fall Athletics Begin

Monday, September 8th

Picture Day

Wednesday, September 10th

Curriculum Night

September 18 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Students are welcome to ride the bus, ride with a parent, walk, or ride bicycles or non-motorized scooters to and from school.

Electronic or motorized bikes or scooters by state late require the operator to be 16+ on public roadways. These items also present hazards to our students and traffic in the area. As such, these items are not allowed on Gateway's campus at any time.

ParentVUE is your one-stop online portal to stay informed and involved in your student’s academic journey. With real-time updates and easy access to key information, ParentVUE helps you support your student every step of the way.

ParentVUE activation emails have been sent to all families. Some parents/guardians received more than one email with activation codes. If you were sent multiple emails, use the link on the latest one you received. Parents/guardians who activated their ParentVUE account before Thursday morning, July 31, did not receive any additional emails. Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we launch the new student information system.

Please know that we are all learning this new system, and processes will likely take a bit longer as we all get used to using it. Thank you for your patience!

Link to more info about ParentVUE and FAQs

ParentSquare is where all communication from schools, teachers and the district is squared away. This program is how we send phone calls or messages to families.

Link to more info about ParentSquare

School photos will be taken during the school day on Wednesday, September 10th. More communication will come out closer to that date, along with the Dorian order form to send with your student on picture day (cash/check) or QR code/link to pay online.

Picture re-takes will be on Thursday, October 2nd.

The following classes have a course fee associated with them:

• Art 6, 7, 8 Fee - $10.00 (per Semester)
• Band Fee, Choir Fee, Orchestra Fee - $20.00

A few weeks into the Semester, course fees will be assigned to your student's account based on their schedule. We will notify families when the fees are assigned, and payments can be made online or in-person.

• ASB cards are $15.00 (per School Year)

The easiest way to make a payment is online via InTouch where you will follow the instructions to log in using your student's ID number. We also accept cash/check in the Main Office. Please bring exact change if it is cash please!

Yearbooks are $30 and available to pre-order 2 times during the school year:

• 1st Round: Monday, August 25th - Sunday, September 14th
• 2nd Round: Typically around Winter Break - we will notify you when this window opens

The easiest way to make a payment is online via InTouch where you will follow the instructions to log in using your student's ID number. We also accept cash/check in the Main Office. Please bring exact change if it is cash please!

At the end of the school year we sometimes have extra Yearbooks, but it isn't a guarantee. We recommend purchasing the Yearbook at the start of the school year to make sure your student gets one! We can always check your purchase history for you to see if you did purchase one, just ask the Main Office staff.

Students will get a chance this fall to design original artwork for the Yearbook Cover, and then vote on their favorite! It will be announced in our daily Gateway Broadcast News (GBN) during the school day.

Here is an image of the 24-25 winning Yearbook cover

• The session is not required, and there is not a schedule of events for this session.

• The 2:00-4:00pm timeframe is intended for 7th grade and 8th grade students (including new students) to drop-in and do a self-guided tour of their schedule. There will be staff onsite to help guide students as well.

• Please activate your ParentVUE account so that you can access your student's schedule online. This website has instructions regarding this process. We will also send out reminder ParentVUE login instructions when schedules are available online on Friday, August 22nd at 4:00pm.

• Teachers are likely not available as they will be getting ready for the first day of school.

• The Chromebook Cafe will be open to pick up your Chromebook!

• Drop off medications and paperwork with the School Nurse.

• Payments can be made in the Main Office, but it is preferred that payments are made online through Intouch https://wa-everett.intouchreceipting.com/ (ASB card, Yearbook, and optional PE shirt/shorts) - more instructions and information about this will be sent in our upcoming September Gateway Family News. Please note - Yearbooks will be available to purchase Monday, August 25th, and the link will then remain open until Sunday, September 14th.
• A representative from Athletics will be onsite to help students with Athletics sign-ups!

** If your student cannot attend on Monday, August 25th, not to worry! We will have lots of staff members in the hallways helping students get where they need to go and find what they need when school starts. **

• Please drop off your student at the gym starting at 1:50pm

• The session is not required, but it will be a great opportunity for your student to attend!

• This timeframe is only for 6th graders

• Teachers are likely not available. However this is a chance for some fun activities for our incoming 6th graders!

• 6th graders will attend an assembly, walk their schedule, pick up their Chromebook, and learn school routines.

• Please activate your ParentVUE account so that you can access your student's schedule online. This website has instructions regarding this process. We will also send out reminder ParentVUE login instructions when schedules are available online on Friday, August 22nd at 4:00pm.
• At 3:45pm we will welcome parents back to drop off medications/paperwork with the School Nurse and check in with their student. If your student would like more time to walk their schedule, you are welcome to walk it with them.

• Students will be picked up by their guardians 3:45pm - 4:15pm in the Gateway MS bus loop.
• Payments can be made in the Main Office, but it is preferred that payments are made online through Intouch https://wa-everett.intouchreceipting.com/ (ASB card, Yearbook, and optional PE shirt/shorts). Please note - Yearbooks will be available to purchase Monday, August 25th, and the link will then remain open until Sunday, September 14th.

** We will also send out ParentVUE login instructions when schedules are available online on Friday, August 22nd.
• If your student cannot attend on Tuesday, August 26th, not to worry! We will have lots of staff members in the hallways helping students get where they need to go and find what they need when school starts. **

If you would like to make payments online you can click here. Online payments for ASB cards can be made all year, and Yearbooks will be available for purchase Monday, August 25th - Sunday, September 14th.

What if we cannot attend? We will have support in the hallways to help students find where they need to be. The payment portal will remain live online until after school starts, and cash/check payments can be made in the office as well. Maps and extra adult assistance are provided the first days of school.

Fall Sports start on September 8th, and paperwork needs to be complete for students to participate.

Once in the Final Forms system, all forms listed to the left, must be completed, and signed before the first day of tryouts, practice, or games. Here is the schedule for fall sports:

Football

Grades 7/8

Start date: 9/8/25

Practice: M-F 3:00-4:45

Coach: Mr. Dockter

Girls’ Fastpitch Softball

Grades 7/8

Start date: 9/8/25

Practice: M-F 3:00-5:00

Coach: Ms. Bus

Cross Country

Grades: 6*/7/8

Start Date: 9/8/25

Practice: M-F 3:00-4:30

Coach: Mr. Schilaty

*6th graders may participate in Cross Country practices but not compete in meets/matches.

GO GUARDIANS!!!!

We have an amazing PTSA! Click here to check out their website and get plugged into life at Gateway.

On the first day, students should bring:

• Water bottle to fill in sinks/filler stations
• Pencils
• Folder to bring work home in
• Binder that fits in backpack with paper or spiral notebook

The following is a suggested list of items your student will need throughout the school year. Teachers will share specifics regarding any additional items. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you need financial assistance with required items.

• Wired headphones
• Colored pencils
• Black/blue/red pens
• Assorted highlighters, at least 4 colors
• #2 Pencils
• Glue Sticks
• 4 function or Scientific calculator (7th - 8th grade Math)
• Scientific calculator or graphing calculator (especially helpful in Geometry & Algebra)
• Scissors
• Ruler (cm/in)
• Tissues
• 2 Composition Notebooks - (1 for ELA + 1 for Math)
• Compass (Geometry)
• 6th Grade: Please purchase a daily planner to use during your 6th grade year
• Art: 5.5 x 8.5” or larger sketchbook, 2 ultra-fine black Sharpies, 1 fine black Sharpie, ongoing supply of hexagonal wooden pencils, hand-held pencil sharpener with flip-close lid, and 2 hi-polymer erasers.
• Band/Orchestra instrument rental and supplies: If your student is planning to take band or orchestra, you will need to rent or purchase an instrument and buy some supplementary supplies/accessories. Some larger instruments are available for rental from the school. Rental information will be distributed by the band/orchestra director.
• Choir: 0.5” 3-ring binder.
• Math: 3x5 lined index cards, 4 fine line Expo Markers
• Science class: Please provide 2 college-ruled composition notebooks (not spiral bound) with first and last name on the front cover and multiple rolls of tape for personal use throughout the school year
• Spanish class: Please provide a small portable white board, regular supply of whiteboard markers, and an eraser. There will be additional supplies required throughout the year for projects.
• Leadership class: 0.5” 3-ring binder.
• PE clothing recommendations: Shirts: Students will need to wear a crew neck t-shirt preferably white, light grey, or a plain light color and a shirt that can have their first and last name written in permanent marker across the front. Sweatshirts can be worn for cold weather months. If desired, you may purchase a school PE shirt in the main office for a minimal fee. Bottoms: Students can wear school dress code appropriate shorts, sweats, yoga pants, or leggings of any color. Shoes: Students need to wear comfortable athletic style shoes that lace up and are non-marking. PE Locks: Students have the option to provide their own PE lock or not use a lock. All PE students will be issued a basket. PE clothes should be separate from clothes worn to school each day in support of good hygiene. If you are unable to provide PE clothing or sweats for the colder months, please reach out to your school office support and/or counselor.
• Health class: 6th and 7th graders will need a composition notebook.
• Graphic Design/Exploring Industrial Tech/Integrated Tech/Digital Manufacturing: wired mouse.

The first week of school is always a time of adjustment. We want you to know that during this time, your student's bus may take a bit longer to get home.

If you have any questions about bus routes, please contact Transportation at 425-385-4144. Or you may check routes through transportation by clicking here.

Please help you student memorize their bus route, this makes the first week much easier. Also, 6th period teachers will have bus lists to help give reminders to students as they learn the new routine.

If your family is in need of assistance with meals you may apply for these services by clicking here.

Cost of Meals

Breakfast $2.15

Lunch $3.90

Exciting news! This fall, our Food & Nutrition department is upgrading to a new Point of Sale system www.myschoolbucks.com, complete with an improved online payment system. All existing funds will be transferred to the new system, but you will need to create a new online account. Stay tuned for more details on how to set up your new account coming this fall!

The Everett School District has an "away for the day" policy across the district for middle and elementary schools. Please let your student know that cell phones need to be powered off and in their backpacks during the school day. If your student needs to contact you, they may use a school phone. If you need to contact your student, please contact the front desk at (425) 385-6600.

Cell phones can be very distracting for students in the learning environment. Our goal is to have all of our students at school fully engaged.

Here is how staff will deal with cell phones that are not in the backpacks.

• Ask student to put cell phone away. Contact family.

• If this is a second offense or student refuses to put their phone away, call the office to bring the phone to the office.

• Notify parent/guardian as soon as possible of infraction, and that parent/guardian pick-up of cell phone from office is required.

As we enter into a new school year, we would love to share with you ways that you can help support your student's success. One of the biggest distractions that students have today is the cell phone. Knowing that, many parents have concerns around safety and cell phone usage. Below are some resources that you can use to help with cell phone usage. One idea is to have your student’s cell phone turned off from social media during the school day, but they can still contact specific adults.

Fragrances should not be worn to school. This includes perfumes, colognes, body sprays, scented soaps, lotions, etc. Air fresheners, sprays, candles and plug-Ins must also be avoided. There are members of the school community with health conditions that are negatively affected by these fragrances, even when worn or utilized by others.

Please take a moment to look at Gateway's Dress Code and discuss the expectations with your student.

Please take a moment to look over what students need to wear for safety during PE.

Shirts: Students will need to wear a crew neck t-shirt preferably plain white, light grey, or a plain light color that can have their name written in permanent maker across the front and/or back. Sweatshirts can be worn for cold weather months. If desired, there are a limited number of school PE shirts available that can be purchased in the main office for a minimal fee.

Bottoms: Students can wear school dress code appropriate shorts, sweats, yoga pants, or leggings of any color.

Shoes: Students need to wear comfortable athletic-style shoes that lace up and are non-marking.

If you are unable to provide PE Clothing or sweats for the colder months, please reach out to your school office support and/or counselor.

Everett Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer and ADA Coordinator

Shawn Bryant,

PO Box 2098, Everett WA 98213

425-385-4117

SBryant@everettsd.org

Section 504 Coordinator

Dave Peters

PO box 2098, Everett WA 98213

425-385-4063

DPeters@everettsd.org;

Gender-Inclusive Coordinator

Joi Odom Grant

PO Box 2098, Everett WA 98213

425-385-4137

JGrant@everettsd.org

Translated versions of this statement can be accessed at: https://docushare.everett.k12.wa.us/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-4736

Everett Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer and ADA Coordinator, Shawn Bryant, 425-385-4117, SBryant@everettsd.org; Section 504 Coordinator, Dave Peters, 425-385-4063, DPeters@everettsd.org; Gender-Inclusive Coordinator, Joi Odom Grant, 425-385-4137, JGrant@everettsd.org.

Website: https://www.everettsd.org/gateway
Location: 15404 Silver Firs Dr, Everett, WA 98208, USA
Phone: (425) 385-6600